HIGHLY READABLE INTRODUCTION TO THE FIELD
Each a very successful trade author, Schacter, Gilbert, and Wegner bring psychology alive with the most captivating introduction to the field.  Outlining the most important research in the field while sprinkling the narrative with intriguing stories that reflect the various applications of classic and contemporary research, Schacter, Gilbert, and Wegner make every effort to demonstrate not only the importance of psychology but the reasons why so many people are fascinated by the subject.

AN EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Schacter, Gilbert, and Wegner offer an introduction to psychology from a distinctive point of view, rather than as an exhaustive review of all things psychological.  The authors have carefully chosen the topics they cover, the order in which they are presented, as well as to which topics they devote the most depth.  Psychology does not read like an encyclopedia, but like a story that is aching to be told.

INTEGRATION OF NEUROSCIENCE
Highlighting the effect of neuroscience research on all areas of psychology, Psychology focuses on presenting the latest outcomes from this cutting edge research throughout the textbook.  Not only is this coverage imbedded throughout the narrative, but it frequently shows up in the Hot Science and The Real World boxes.

FOCUS ON “MIND BUGS”
Focusing on “mind bugs” or human foibles that tell us about the mind and human behavior; this theme will be highlighted with examples and case studies throughout the textbook.  Much in the way we don’t understand how a lawn mower works until it is broken, focusing on the quirks and oddities of the mind provides fundamental insights into human behavior in a manner that engages students and demonstrates the power of psychological reasoning.

A TRULY ENGAGING EXPOSITION
Applications of psychology will be prevalent throughout the textbook: in the narrative with examples highlighting human behavior, The Real World boxes, in the photo and art program, and in the end-of-chapter feature Where Do You Stand?, which also promotes critical thinking.

USEFUL PEDAGOGY

• Opening Vignettes: start each chapter with a real story or case study that illustrates the topics covered in the chapter.  These stories typically describe a mind bug that helps explain the chapter topic.  These stories are returned to in the chapter to provide a cohesive presentation.
• Special Topic Boxes:
• Hot Science boxes feature exciting, cutting edge research on one of the chapter’s core topics.  Often, this research points toward some big question that psychologists hope to answer in the next few decades.  For example, in the consciousness chapter, a Hot Science box looks at recent research suggesting that decisions made without conscious thought can sometimes be better than those made with intensive conscious deliberation. These features will convey the excitement and previously unimaginable possibilities this research uncovers to spur student interest in the field.
• The Real World applies the chapter content to some pressing real world phenomenon. Psychology is about things that we experience every day, and this box illustrates that fact while helping students see and use that information to their benefit. Some of the Real World boxes focus on issues that students may read about in the newspaper (the brain chapter has a box on the legal status of brain death and discusses the Terry Schiavo case), whereas others focus on issues that may be relevant to their personal lives (the social psychology chapter has a box on secret romantic relationships). These features offer “news you can use” and will be similar to articles aimed at the thinking layperson published in the popular press.
• In Summary follows each A-head section with an interim summary that recaps major points in the section, along with transitioning to the next section.
• Where Do You Stand? Each chapter ends with a critical thinking feature that presents a somewhat controversial topic related to the chapter with a set of questions that encourages students to consider the implications of the topics just discussed.  Involving students in the material they have just read helps them develop their critical thinking skills as they learn to understand and integrate chapter concepts into an argument.
• Chapter Review with Key Terms and Recommended Readings.  The readings are often trade titles, a classic article from professional literature, or occasionally a film.  URLs for online articles are included.  Each entry has a brief description.